Gender-nonconforming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth: School victimization and young adult psychosocial adjustment.

Abstract

Past research documents that both adolescent gender nonconformity and the experience of school victimization are associated with high rates of negative psychosocial adjustment. Using data from the Family Acceptance Project's young adult survey, we examined associations among retrospective reports of adolescent gender nonconformity and adolescent school victimization due to perceived or actual lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) status, along with current reports of life satisfaction and depression. The participants included 245 LGBT young adults ranging in age from 21 to 25 years. Using structural equation modeling, we found that victimization due to perceived or actual LGBT status fully mediates the association between adolescent gender nonconformity and young adult psychosocial adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction and depression). Implications are addressed, including specific strategies that schools can implement to provide safer environments for gender-nonconforming LGBT students.

Internalized Homonegativity, Disclosure, and Acceptance of Sexual Orientation in a Sample of Portuguese Gay and Bisexual Men, and Lesbian and Bisexual Women

“…Given that men, gay and bisexual, are more likely to be victimized as a consequence of disclosing their sexual identity, or for displaying some kind of gender nonconformist behaviors (D'Augelli & Grossman, 2001;Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russel, 2010), we hypothesize that men may be more prone to internalize the underlying negative messages rather than recognizing and confronting them. Moreover, gay and bisexual men who experience gender role conflict are more likely to internalize homonegative messages (Szymanski & Carr, 2008).…”

Sexual orientation trends and disparities in school bullying and violence-related experiences, 1999–2013.

“…More specifically, numerous studies have linked the higher rates of victimization experienced by sexual minority youth to poorer mental health, depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts (Bontempo & D'Augelli, 2002;D'Augelli, Pilkington, & Hershberger, 2002;Duong & Bradshaw, 2014;Goodenow, Szalacha, & Westheimer, 2006;Mueller, James, Abrutyn, & Levin 2015;Patrick, Bell, Huang, Lazarakis, & Edwards, 2010;Robinson, Espelage, & Rivers, 2013;Shields, Whitaker, Glassman, Franks, & Howard, 2011), both during adolescence and carrying over into young adulthood (Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Sanchez;2011;Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russell, 2013). The victimization of LGB youth also contributes toward explaining their higher prevalence of substance abuse (Bontempo & D'Augelli, 2002;Rosario et al.…”

Prior Military Service, Identity Stigma, and Mental Health Among Transgender Older Adults

“…When experienced in childhood or youth, such trauma can be classified as adverse childhood events (ACE). Compared with their gender conforming peers, gender nonconforming youth also have a greater likelihood of being victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, more typical forms of ACE (Toomey, McGuire, & Russell, 2012;Toomey et al, 2010). Early ACE may "sensitize" individuals to be more reactive to stressors later in life, increasing their risk for poor mental health outcomes (Sachs-Ericsson, Joiner, Cougle, Stanley, & Sheffler, 2016).…”

“…Gender conformity is rigidly regulated and behaviorally disciplined in the military. Gender nonconformity increases risk for individual-level stressors such as microaggressions, victimization, abuse (Gordon & Meyer, 2007;Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russell, 2010), and poor mental health outcomes, such as depression among older male veterans (Yang & Burr, 2016).…”

“…Gender conformity is rigidly regulated and behaviorally disciplined in the military. Gender nonconformity increases risk for individual-level stressors such as microaggressions, victimization, abuse (Gordon & Meyer, 2007;Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russell, 2010), and poor mental health outcomes, such as depression among older male veterans (Yang & Burr, 2016).Military service may further interact with stressors that have been negatively associated with mental health, even those predating military service. Identity stigma, the internalization of prevailing societal attitudes and beliefs relative to dominant and stigmatized groups, is a major stressor…”